Kokeshi are handmade wooden dolls from Japan known for their simple body with no arms or legs and an enlarged head decorated with just a few simple lines to define the face. Kokeshi usually take the form of humans, but Oki Yasunobu creates these wonderful cat Kokeshi, made to order and customized to look just like your cat. Simply send in a photo and have one created for your moderncat!
It looks like you can order one from zenworld.jp for 7,800 ¥ (about $87 US) plus 1,000 ¥ (about $11 US) for shipping. Thanks to Gaby for the find.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:13 am
This is a whimsical way to memorialize your kitty.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Oh, these are WONDERFUL! One of my most beloved childhood memories is of my kokeshi dolls, which I still have (they’re human form, of course), and which open up to reveal tiny replicas inside. I LOVE these cat kokeshi!
June 8th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Aww, those are adorable!
June 8th, 2010 at 10:44 am
oh they are so cute! normally I am not a ‘cat figurine’ person at all – but these are sweet – definitely on the wish list.
My calico Inca would be perfectly represented in such a doll, she has fun ‘raccoon’ face markings that are quite unique + she is my own personal and real Maneki-Neko so a Japanese doll would be perfect…see my beautiful Inca here (first her babies, then Inca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqv0og2iygQ
thanks for posting this!
June 8th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
These are just the sweetest! Love them so much!
June 8th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
so great!
June 9th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Too cute. The question is, would my cat leave it alone, or would he want to use it as a chew toy.
June 11th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Oh, the dolls are very cute!!
June 11th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
They are so beautiful and have very sweet little faces!
June 18th, 2010 at 8:23 am
I tried very hard to place an order for the long haired version of this, but the website is not user friendly for english…couldn’t do it. It’s a shame…I want one!!